Supporting talented college sophomores and juniors who aspire to become the nation鈥檚 next generation of researchers in science, engineering, and mathematics, the Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has awarded Hailey Mulvilhill, Wittenberg class of 2027 from Florence, Kentucky, its prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Mulvihill joins only 454 students across the country in earning the distinction for the 2026-2027 academic year.
A biochemistry and molecular biology and mathematics double major, Mulvihill began her Wittenberg journey in the lab as First Year Research Award (FYRA) recipient under the direction of Kunal Chatterjee, assistant professor of biology.
鈥淗ailey is the definition of what it means to be a Wittenberg student,鈥� Chatterjee said. 鈥淔rom her start as a FYRA scholar, to securing a summer research grant, to her work as a faculty aide in microbiology, she has navigated a path defined by hands-on discovery. While many small colleges struggle to provide high-level lab access, Wittenberg prides itself on giving students first-hand research opportunities. Hailey didn't just participate; she excelled. Her work at the Rustbelt RNA meeting (October of 2024) and TriBeta (Beta Beta Beta) conferences caught the attention of the bigger R1 institutes and paved the way for her most impressive milestone yet: winning the Goldwater Scholarship. Hailey doesn't just represent our departments and programs, she represents the very best of the liberal arts at Wittenberg.鈥�
Mulvihill also conducted summer research with Chatterjee and was awarded first place for her presentation at the TriBeta Biological Honor Society鈥檚 Northeast District Meeting that took place at Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, last year. A competitive event bringing together students from multiple universities across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky, the opportunity allowed Mulvihill to present the work she conducted during her summer research on tRNA in Chatterjee鈥檚 lab. As the first-place winner, she has been invited to present her research at the TriBeta National Conference at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, with all expenses fully covered, in May 2026. Adding to this achievement, Mulvihill was also selected to conduct research this past summer at the RNA Institute at the State University of New York in Albany. Out of more than 430 applicants, she was one of only 17 students accepted into this prestigious program.
鈥淚 was astounded to learn that I was named a 2026 Goldwater Scholar,鈥� said Mulvihill, who is active at Wittenberg as chapter president of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Student Senate, a chemistry and math tutor, an organic chemistry teaching assistant, and vice president of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society.
鈥淭o me, this scholarship not only validates the hard work I have put in toward my degree in biochemistry/molecular biology but also recognizes the importance of the research I have done both at Wittenberg and at the RNA Institute,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 am proud to represent a small liberal arts university amongst the large research-oriented institutions in the 2026 scholar pool.鈥�
From an estimated pool of over 5,000 college sophomores and juniors, 1,485 students majoring in science, engineering, and mathematics were nominated by 482 academic institutions to compete for the 2026 Goldwater Scholarships. In conjunction with UWorld, the Goldwater Board awarded a total of 454 scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. This, combined with continued support for 59 sophomores from the 2026 competition, marks the highest total number of scholars the foundation has ever supported in a single year. With the 2026 awards, the Goldwater Foundation will have awarded a total of 11,616 scholarships.
Among the students who reported, 226 are men, 217 are women, and nearly all intend to pursue a Ph.D. as their highest degree. Of the awardees, 54 scholars plan to pursue research careers in mathematics and computer science, 237 in the sciences, 98 in medicine, and 65 in engineering and materials research.
Mulvihill learned about the scholarship opportunity while completing her 10-week summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) at the RNA Institute at the University at Albany in the summer of 2025, where she worked in Hannah Shorrock's lab investigating inducible cell lines that mimic CAG expansion diseases, such as Huntington's disease, spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxias.
鈥淧rior REU students at the RNA Institute have gone on to become Goldwater Scholars, and my Principal Investigator (PI), Hannah Shorrock, encouraged me to apply because of my extensive research experience,鈥� Mulvihill explained. 鈥淚 decided to follow through with the application process after learning that the Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate research award in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics. Because I was named a Goldwater Scholar as a junior, I am entitled to one year of funding in my senior year up to a maximum of $7,500. I will put this award toward my tuition, room, and board, which will relieve most, if not all, of the financial burden for my senior year.鈥�
Mulvihill has received numerous awards and scholarship money during her time at Wittenberg, including for her research in New York, when she received the Dean鈥檚 Award for the best undergraduate poster at the annual RNA Institute retreat that took place at Schroon Lake, New York. The retreat encompassed two days of scientific talks, networking, poster presentations, and fun activities on the lakefront. In addition to the $2,000 grant she received through Wittenberg鈥檚 FYRA program when she arrived at the University in 2023, Mulvihill also earned the Department of Chemistry鈥檚 Franta Chemistry Award, which provides $14,000 a year toward her tuition as she continues pursuing chemistry courses. In summer 2024, she also received a $5,000 grant through Wittenberg鈥檚 Virginia Ellis Franta Fund to continue her research with Chatterjee.
Mulvihill plans to pursue graduate school after Wittenberg with her sights set on a Ph.D. in molecular biology.
鈥淚 want to continue investigating the dysfunction and regulation of RNAs in disease through both my coursework and bench research,鈥� Mulvihill said. 鈥淎fter obtaining my Ph.D., I strive for a post-doctoral fellowship at an R1 university where I will further develop my confidence and independence as a research scientist. Additionally, I hope to enhance my mentorship skills, which I will use as a PI and professor when teaching undergraduate courses. I want to empower students to find their passion in research and offer a supportive environment for all future scientists.鈥�
A legacy student at Wittenberg, Mulvihill followed in the footsteps of her father, Jon Mulvihill, class of 2003, who earned his physics degree from Wittenberg and was a member of the football team. He continued his post-graduation education, earning a master鈥檚 in computer science from the University of Louisville and is now a business intelligence consultant at CBRE.
鈥淭o the best of my knowledge, Wittenberg has had several students who have received honorable mentions, but this is the first Goldwater Scholar at Wittenberg,鈥� said Jeremiah Williams, professor of physics at Wittenberg and the Goldwater representative on campus. 鈥淲hile Hailey was encouraged to apply by a mentor that she had this summer, her research journey began as a participant in the FYRA program during her first year at Wittenberg, working with Dr. Chatterjee. It was a joy working with her as she put her materials together.鈥�
This summer, Mulvihill will be returning to her research in Shorrock's lab at the RNA Institute, where she will lead the REU cohort as the student liaison. Additionally, she will be participating in the Institute's Summer Bioinformatics Program.
鈥淚 am excited for both of these experiences and the contributions they will make to furthering my skills in critical analysis, experimental methodology, and scientific inquiry,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would like to thank my recommenders and mentors, Dr. Kunal Chatterjee, Dr. Margaret Goodman (professor of biology at Wittenberg), and Dr. Hannah Shorrock, for their encouragement and support in my research career thus far. I would also like to thank Dr. Jeremiah Williams, our campus Goldwater representative, for guiding me through the application process. I encourage future Wittenberg students invested in science, engineering, or mathematics research to consider applying to be a Goldwater Scholar.鈥�
About Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation: The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, established by Congress in 1986, serves as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman. The Goldwater Scholarship Program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this nation鈥檚 next generation of research leaders in these fields. Today, Goldwater alumni working in academic, corporate, defense, and national laboratories are finding cures for catastrophic diseases, defending the Nation, and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. The Goldwater Scholarship Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and has supported more than 11,000 undergraduates through scholarships. Scholars are selected through a competitive national process that evaluates essays, faculty recommendations, and their dedication to advancing scientific inquiry. To learn more, visit goldwaterscholarship.gov.
